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Fix the Fluttering Paper Type Noise in Your AC Vents
I was getting this intermittent fluttering sound in the AC vents of my 2002 Firebird over near the passenger side. Sounded like a piece of paper or something was blocking the air flow in the system. Yeeeears ago (I'm on my 2nd firebird) when I was under warranty on my first FB, I remember the dealer had to get leaves out of my AC system once. So I remembered the noise and suspected this was the cause once again. Went in to investigate & sure enough - that's what I found. It seems apparently there's a leaf gnome that sits outside and crams oak tree leaves into my AC system while I sleep. I guess he has nothing better to do. I don't know how they're getting in there - but it's easy enough to get them out.
To fix it - you need to get at the blower which is under the dash on the passenger side. First remove the trim panel that runs along the side of your passenger seat at the floor/door. (long skinny piece that is held in by maybe 4 phillips screws. Then you'll need to remove the panel that is under your dash on the passenger side - beneath your glove box. Mine was held in place by three fasteners - pictured here. Two christmas tree style push in fasteners in the seam right beneath the glove compartment and one metal clip that seats around a round peg type protrusion near the floor. (get a flashlight & some pliers to grip it and wiggle it off)
Then here's a look under the dash where the blower sits. It's got an electrical harness that clips on and then the blower is held in place by 3 bolts. So first step - unhook the harness. (actually I always kill the power at my battery first - THEN unhook the harness) As for the little bolts holding the blower in place, I think they were 7mm.... But I can't remember for sure so I apologize if that's wrong. Short little guys - here's a picture of what you're removing.
Once you remove those three bolts get ready to catch because the blower drops right out. Have a look at the little leaves making all that big noise.
Should have thrown a cabin air filter in there while you had the thing apart. I had one in there for a few years, then I went to clean it and put it back together without putting it back in
Neat idea about the air filter! I love the idea of a clean air zone. Any trouble having it hamper the air flow? Are our blowers powerful enough to pull/push the air through? (insert Spaceballs joke here: It's megamaid sir - she's gone from suck to blow!)
there's some discussion about air flow in the thread. Seems like it depends on what filter you get and how good of a seal but I didn't notice any difference.
04-16-2015, 06:21 PM
Fix the Fluttering Paper Type Noise in Your AC Vents 
